AMD Opteron 4280 vs Intel Core i5-4570T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 4280 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, taking all five contested tests. The Intel Core i5-4570T does not register a single victory, and the margins are consistently wide. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 385 against the i5's 275, a 28.6% advantage. That same 28.6% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Opteron posts 1607 versus 1147, and again in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with scores of 3828 and 2732 respectively.

Single-core performance tells the same story, though with slightly different margins. The Opteron leads by 28.8% in Cinebench R20 single-core (226 vs. 161) and by 28.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (540 vs. 385). It is rare to see such uniformity across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The consistency of the ~28.6% delta across every test suggests a fundamental performance gap rather than workload-specific advantages. The i5-4570T does have a higher base clock (2.90 GHz vs. 2.80 GHz) and boost clock (3.60 GHz vs. 3.50 GHz), but these modest frequency advantages are insufficient to overcome the Opteron's architectural and core-count superiority.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall picture. The i5-4570T averages 1108 across its tested workloads, while the Opteron 4280 averages 1107. These nearly identical averages are misleading, as they are calculated from different benchmark suites. The Opteron's Cinebench results are consistently stronger, and its single-core performance in Cinebench R23 (540) towers over what the i5 can manage in the same test (385). When both processors are placed side by side in the head-to-head array, the Opteron wins every round without exception.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-4570T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node at Intel's own foundry, packing 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. The AMD Opteron 4280 uses the Bulldozer architecture (codename Valencia) on a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 1,200 million transistors spread across a much larger 315 mm² die. The process node advantage belongs to Intel, but the Opteron compensates with a radically different core layout.

Core counts diverge sharply: the i5-4570T has 2 physical cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the Opteron 4280 has 8 physical cores with 8 threads (no simultaneous multi-threading). This 4x core advantage for AMD is the single most important architectural difference. Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel part offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. The Opteron presents 384 KB of L1 total, 8 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has twice the shared L3 cache and substantially more total L2 cache.

Memory support is DDR3 on both, and both use a dual-channel memory bus. However, the Opteron 4280 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a figure absent from the i5's specifications. The Opteron also supports ECC memory, while the i5 does not — a critical feature for server and workstation deployments. PCIe generations differ: the i5 uses Gen 3, while the Opteron is limited to Gen 2. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), whereas the Opteron has none. Socket compatibility is entirely separate: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5, AMD Socket C32 for the Opteron. The Opteron targets the server/workstation market segment and is marked end-of-life, while the i5 is a desktop part.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows the Opteron 4280 winning across the board, but the nature of those wins suggests different usage scenarios. The Opteron's 8 physical cores give it a decisive edge in heavily multi-threaded workloads such as video rendering, scientific computation, and server-side processing. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3828 is 40% higher than the i5's 2732, making it the clear choice for any task that can utilize more than four threads. The Opteron also wins in single-threaded tests, which is more surprising given its lower clock speeds — its 540 in Cinebench R23 single-core beats the i5's 385 by 40.3%.

The Intel i5-4570T does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but its lower TDP (35W vs. 95W) and integrated graphics make it suitable for compact desktop builds where power draw and GPU-less operation matter. The i5's 22 nm process node and smaller die size (177 mm² vs. 315 mm²) indicate better power efficiency per unit of silicon, though the data does not include direct power consumption measurements. For users prioritizing ECC memory support, memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, or server-grade reliability, the Opteron is the only option between the two. For users needing integrated graphics, the i5 is the sole choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 wins all multi-core benchmarks by 28.6%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3828 versus the Intel i5-4570T's 2732. The Opteron's 8 physical cores provide a substantial advantage over the i5's 2 cores with 4 threads.

Q: Does the Intel i5-4570T win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head data lists zero wins for the Intel i5-4570T and five wins for the AMD Opteron 4280. The Opteron leads by 28.6% to 28.8% across all five Cinebench tests.

Q: What is the difference in core counts and threads?

A: The Intel i5-4570T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 4280 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Opteron has four times the physical cores, though neither processor uses simultaneous multi-threading on the AMD side.

Q: Does the AMD Opteron 4280 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Opteron 4280 supports ECC memory. The Intel i5-4570T does not. This makes the Opteron appropriate for error-correcting memory configurations in server or workstation environments.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel i5-4570T includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 4280 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do the processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 wins in single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 540 versus the i5-4570T's 385, a 28.7% advantage. The Opteron also leads by 28.8% in Cinebench R20 single-core.

The Verdict

The data points to a decisive conclusion: the AMD Opteron 4280 is the stronger processor in every measurable benchmark. Its 28.6% lead across all Cinebench tests, from R15 through R23, demonstrates a consistent performance advantage that spans both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The Opteron's 8 cores, 8 MB of L3 cache, and 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth combine to deliver results that the i5-4570T cannot match, despite the Intel part's higher clock speeds and smaller 22 nm process node.

However, the choice depends on context. The Opteron 4280 is a server/workstation processor with ECC memory support and a 95W TDP, positioned for reliability and throughput. The i5-4570T is a desktop chip with a 35W TDP and integrated graphics, suited for power-constrained builds that do not require ECC. If raw performance in Cinebench-style workloads is the priority, the Opteron is the clear winner. If integrated graphics, lower power draw, and a newer process node matter more, the i5-4570T has its place — but the benchmark data cannot justify selecting it on performance grounds. The Opteron wins 5-0, and the numbers are not close.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4570T | AMD Opteron 4280 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 95W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket C32 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Bulldozer |

| Codename | Haswell | Valencia |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 384 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 8 MB |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Not listed | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2013-06-01 | 2011-11-13 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $255 |

| Part Number | SR14R | OS4280WLU8KGU |